Lifting aid for a long-handled implement

ABSTRACT

A lifting aid for a long-handled implement includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement and a fulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar such that (i) at least a bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is disposed adjacent to a lowermost part of a lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and (ii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is capable of moving, at least in a substantially linear manner, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to long-handled implements and,more particularly, to a lifting aid for a long-handled implement.

BACKGROUND

Long-handled implements, such as various shovels, spades, pitchforks andthe like, are often utilized to perform a variety of tasks (e.g.,relating to snow removal, home improvement projects, construction,excavating, landscaping, farming, etc.). The utilization of suchlong-handled implements, while typically generally useful andbeneficial, still often presents some challenges and limitations tousers. For example, as a result of shoveling snow with a snow shovel ordigging into soil or stone with a spade, many users have been known toexperience fatigue or even more serious health-related issues (e.g.,back pain, joint pain, heart attacks, strokes, etc.). Suchhealth-related issues may be especially linked to certain actions ofusers, such as continually bending over and lifting or prying the loadedsnow shovel or spade generally upwardly so as to throw, push orotherwise displace the snow, soil, stone, etc. to a desired location.

In an attempt to assist users with moving, lifting or pryinglong-handled implements, some moving or lifting aids for long-handledimplements have been developed, but often with relatively complicateddesigns, relatively bulky and/or heavy components (e.g., large framestructures supported on large or small wheels, etc.) or with componentswhich compel users to still bend over or perform other various laboriousmaneuvers.

With at least the aforementioned challenges and limitations in mind,there is a continuing unaddressed need for a lifting aid for along-handled implement which is at least relatively simple in design andrelatively light weight, which may be used on various types oflong-handled implements, which is at least relatively simple to use,which at least enables a user to bend over less and keep a straighterposture while using a long-handled implement and which at least enablesa user to gain additional leverage while using a long-handled implement,such as while shoveling snow with a snow shovel or digging into soil orstone with a spade, thus making it easier for the user to lift or prythe loaded snow shovel or spade generally upwardly so as to throw, pushor otherwise displace the snow, soil, stone, etc. to a desired location.

SUMMARY

At least the above-identified need is addressed with the presentdisclosure. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to alifting aid for a long-handled implement. The lifting aid includes amounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of along-handled implement. Additionally, the lifting aid further includes afulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. Thefulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, alower end portion disposed opposite the upper end portion and anintermediate portion disposed between the upper and lower end portions.The fulcrum bar further has a longitudinal centerline thereof extendingthrough at least the upper end portion, the intermediate portion and thelower end portion of the fulcrum bar. The fulcrum bar is pivotallyattached to the mounting assembly proximate the upper end portion of thefulcrum bar. The fulcrum assembly further includes at least one skidshield. The at least one skid shield is operably coupled to the fulcrumbar, proximate the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar, such that (i)at least a bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is disposedadjacent to a lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum barand (ii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least oneskid shield is capable of moving, at least in a substantially linearmanner, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion ofthe fulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a lifting aidfor a long-handled implement. The lifting aid includes a mountingassembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of along-handled implement. Additionally, the lifting aid further includes afulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. Thefulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, alower end portion disposed opposite the upper end portion and anintermediate portion disposed between the upper and lower end portions.The fulcrum bar further has a longitudinal centerline thereof extendingthrough at least the upper end portion, the intermediate portion and thelower end portion of the fulcrum bar. The fulcrum bar is pivotallyattached to the mounting assembly proximate the upper end portion of thefulcrum bar. The fulcrum assembly further includes a skid shield. Theskid shield has an opening formed therein which extends completelythrough at least a bottom portion of the skid shield. The skid shield isoperably coupled to the fulcrum bar, proximate the lower end portion ofthe fulcrum bar, such that (i) the longitudinal centerline of thefulcrum bar extends through at least the opening formed in the skidshield, (ii) at least a lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar is capable of being disposed within the opening formed inthe skid shield and (iii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion ofthe skid shield is capable of moving, at least along the longitudinalcenterline of the fulcrum bar, upwardly and downwardly with respect toat least the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a liftingaid for a long-handled implement. The lifting aid includes a mountingassembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of along-handled implement. Additionally, the lifting aid further includes afulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. Thefulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, alower end portion disposed opposite the upper end portion and anintermediate portion disposed between the upper and lower end portions.The fulcrum bar further has a longitudinal centerline thereof extendingthrough at least the upper end portion, the intermediate portion and thelower end portion of the fulcrum bar. The fulcrum bar is pivotallyattached to the mounting assembly proximate the upper end portion of thefulcrum bar. The fulcrum assembly further includes a flexible member.The flexible member has an upper end portion, a lower end portiondisposed opposite the upper end portion of the flexible member and anintermediate portion disposed between the upper and lower end portionsof the flexible member. The lower end portion of the flexible member isattached to the fulcrum bar proximate the intermediate portion of thefulcrum bar or proximate the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar. Theupper end portion of the flexible member is capable of being grasped andmoved by a user so as to pivot the fulcrum bar with respect to at leastthe mounting assembly.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a liftingaid for a long-handled implement. The lifting aid includes a mountingassembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of along-handled implement. The mounting assembly includes a first mountingbracket having a first engagement portion configured to engage theelongated portion of the long-handled implement. The mounting assemblyfurther includes a second mounting bracket having a second engagementportion configured to engage the elongated portion of the long-handledimplement. The first and second mounting brackets are each furtherconfigured to be operably connected to each other such that the firstand second engagement portions of the respective first and secondmounting brackets are capable of being clamped against the elongatedportion of the long-handled implement so as to attach the mountingassembly to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement.Additionally, the lifting aid further includes a fulcrum assemblypivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assemblyincludes a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, a lower end portiondisposed opposite the upper end portion and an intermediate portiondisposed between the upper and lower end portions. The fulcrum barfurther has a longitudinal centerline thereof extending through at leastthe upper end portion, the intermediate portion and the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar. The fulcrum bar is pivotally attached to themounting assembly proximate the upper end portion of the fulcrum bar.The mounting assembly of the lifting aid further includes a stop capableof being contacted by the fulcrum assembly. The stop is configured toprevent the fulcrum assembly from pivoting, with respect to at least themounting assembly, in a first rotational direction when the fulcrumassembly contacts the stop.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a liftingaid for a long-handled implement. The lifting aid includes a mountingassembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of along-handled implement. The mounting assembly includes a first mountingbracket having a first engagement portion configured to engage theelongated portion of the long-handled implement. The mounting assemblyfurther includes a second mounting bracket having a second engagementportion configured to engage the elongated portion of the long-handledimplement. The first and second mounting brackets are each furtherconfigured to be operably connected to each other such that the firstand second engagement portions of the respective first and secondmounting brackets are capable of being clamped against the elongatedportion of the long-handled implement so as to attach the mountingassembly to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement.Additionally, the lifting aid further includes a fulcrum assemblypivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assemblyincludes a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, a lower end portiondisposed opposite the upper end portion and an intermediate portiondisposed between the upper and lower end portions. The fulcrum barfurther has a longitudinal centerline thereof extending through at leastthe upper end portion, the intermediate portion and the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar. The fulcrum bar is pivotally attached to themounting assembly proximate the upper end portion of the fulcrum bar.The fulcrum assembly further includes a flexible member. The flexiblemember has an upper end portion, a lower end portion disposed oppositethe upper end portion of the flexible member and an intermediate portiondisposed between the upper and lower end portions of the flexiblemember. The lower end portion of the flexible member is attached to thefulcrum bar proximate the intermediate portion of the fulcrum bar orproximate the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar. The upper endportion of the flexible member is capable of being grasped and moved bya user so as to pivot the fulcrum bar with respect to at least themounting assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are pointedout with particularity in the appended claims. However, other featuresof the one or more embodiments will become more apparent and will bebest understood by referring to the following detailed description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a left-side view of an exemplary lifting aid for along-handled implement;

FIG. 1B is a right-side view of the lifting aid shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top view of an exemplary mounting assembly of the liftingaid shown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the mounting assembly shown in at least FIG.2A;

FIG. 2C is a top-rear view of the mounting assembly shown in at leastFIGS. 2A and 2B, illustrating the mounting assembly attached to anelongated portion of an exemplary long-handled implement;

FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary skid shield whichmay be implemented on an exemplary fulcrum assembly of the lifting aidshown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrating the skid shield in afully downward position with respect to at least an exemplary fulcrumbar of the fulcrum assembly;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the skid shield shown in FIG. 3A, furtherillustrating the skid shield in the fully downward position with respectto at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 3C is a right-side view of the skid shield shown in at least FIGS.3A and 3B, further illustrating the skid shield in the fully downwardposition with respect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 4A is a left-side view of the skid shield shown in at least FIGS.3A-3C, illustrating the skid shield in a fully upward position withrespect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 4B is a left-side view of the skid shield shown in at least FIGS.3A-3C and FIG. 4A, further illustrating the skid shield contacting, andbeing supported by, a ground surface, and further illustrating thefulcrum bar in a fully downward position, with respect to at least thesupported skid shield, and contacting the ground surface;

FIG. 5A is a left-side view of an alternative exemplary skid shieldwhich may be implemented on the fulcrum assembly of the lifting aidshown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrating the skid shield in adownward position with respect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the skid shield shown in FIG. 5A, furtherillustrating the skid shield in the downward position with respect to atleast the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 6A is a left-side view of the skid shield shown in at least FIGS.5A and 5B, illustrating the skid shield in an upward position withrespect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 6B is a right-side view of the skid shield shown in at least FIGS.5A, 5B and FIG. 6A, further illustrating the skid shield contacting, andbeing supported by, a ground surface, and further illustrating thefulcrum bar in a downward position, with respect to at least thesupported skid shield, and contacting the ground surface;

FIG. 7A is a left-side view of another alternative exemplary skidshield, in the form of first and second exemplary skid shields, whichmay be implemented on the fulcrum assembly of the lifting aid shown inat least FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrating a left-side view of the firstskid shield in a downward position with respect to at least the fulcrumbar;

FIG. 7B is a right-side view of the second skid shield in a downwardposition with respect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 7C is a rear view of the first and second skid shields shown in atleast FIGS. 7A and 7B, further illustrating the first and second skidshields each in the downward position with respect to at least thefulcrum bar;

FIG. 8A is a rear view of the first and second skid shields shown in atleast FIGS. 7A-7C, illustrating the first and second skid shields eachin an upward position with respect to at least the fulcrum bar;

FIG. 8B is a front view of the first and second skid shields shown in atleast FIGS. 7A-7C and FIG. 8A, further illustrating the first and secondskid shields each contacting, and being supported by, a ground surface,and further illustrating the fulcrum bar in a downward position, withrespect to at least the supported first and second skid shields, andcontacting the ground surface;

FIG. 9 is a left-side view of an exemplary long-handled implement,illustrating the lifting aid shown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B attachedto an elongated portion of the long-handled implement, and furtherillustrating the fulcrum assembly of the lifting aid contacting a groundsurface in a stopped, substantially upright supporting position;

FIG. 10A is a left-side view of the long-handled implement and liftingaid shown in FIG. 9, illustrating a user moving the long-handledimplement across the ground surface, and further illustrating thefulcrum assembly of the lifting aid contacting the ground surface andmoving across the ground surface in a non-supporting position;

FIG. 10B is a left-side view of the long-handled implement and liftingaid shown in at least FIGS. 9 and 10A, illustrating the user applying adownward force to an upper part of the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement, and further illustrating the fulcrum assembly ofthe lifting aid contacting the ground surface in a substantially uprightfulcrum position, and at least a lower part of the long-handledimplement lifted generally upwardly away from the ground surface;

FIG. 11 is a left-side view of another exemplary lifting aid for along-handled implement;

FIG. 12 is a left-side view of an exemplary long-handled implement,illustrating the lifting aid shown in FIG. 11 attached to an elongatedportion of the long-handled implement, and further illustrating thefulcrum assembly of the lifting aid contacting a ground surface in astopped, substantially upright supporting position;

FIG. 13A is a left-side view of the long-handled implement and liftingaid shown in FIG. 12, illustrating a user moving the long-handledimplement across the ground surface, and further illustrating thefulcrum assembly of the lifting aid pivoted by the user generallyupwardly away from the ground surface, into a non-supporting position;

FIG. 13B is a left-side view of the long-handled implement and liftingaid shown in at least FIGS. 12 and 13A, illustrating the user applying adownward force to an upper part of the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement, and further illustrating the fulcrum assembly ofthe lifting aid contacting the ground surface in a substantially uprightfulcrum position, and at least a lower part of the long-handledimplement lifted generally upwardly away from the ground surface; and

FIG. 14 is a left-side view of the long-handled implement and liftingaid shown in at least FIGS. 12, 13A and 13B, illustrating thelong-handled implement and lifting aid when not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, one or more detailed embodiments of the present disclosureare disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may beembodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are notnecessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized toshow details of particular components. Therefore, specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilledin the art to variously employ the present disclosure. Furthermore, theuse of a singular term, such as, “a” is not to be interpreted aslimiting the number of components or details of particular components.Additionally, various terms and/or phrases describing or indicating aposition or directional reference such as, but not limited to, “top”,“bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “forward”, “rearward”, “end”, “outer”,“inner”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upper”, “lower”,etc. may relate to one or more particular components as seen generallyfrom a user's vantage point during use or operation, and such termsand/or phrases are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for describing the present disclosure to oneskilled in the art.

Referring generally to the figures, exemplary lifting aids 100, 1000 forlong-handled implements, such as respective exemplary long-handledimplements 400, 4000, are collectively shown and will be furtherdescribed herein.

Referring to at least FIGS. 1A-10B, the lifting aid 100 and thelong-handled implement 400 are shown. As shown in at least FIGS. 2C and9-10B, the long-handled implement 400 may be a long-handled shovel(e.g., a long-handled snow shovel), however, the long-handled implement400 may be any type of long-handled implement such as, but not limitedto, various types of long-handled spades, landscaping tools, pitchforks,crowbars/pry bars, etc., as may be understood by one skilled in the art.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lifting aid 100 may include amounting assembly 200 which may be attached to an elongated portion 402(e.g., a portion of a handle and/or a shaft) of the long-handledimplement 400, as will be further described herein. The lifting aid 100may further include a fulcrum assembly 300 which may be pivotallyattached to the mounting assembly 200, as will also be further describedherein.

Referring to at least FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A-2C and 9-10B, the mountingassembly 200 of the lifting aid 100 will now be described in furtherdetail. The mounting assembly 200 may include a first mounting bracket202 which may have a first plurality of openings 204 formed therein. Thefirst mounting bracket 202 may further have a first engagement portion206 which may be suitably shaped and sized so as to be capable ofengaging the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400.The first engagement portion 206 may include one or more anti-slipsurfaces 208 (e.g., provided by gritted anti-slip adhesive tape or otheranti-slip elements) disposed on an inner surface 210 of the firstengagement portion 206, as will be further described herein. Themounting assembly 200 may further include a second mounting bracket 212which may have a second plurality of openings 214 formed therein. Thesecond mounting bracket 212 may further have a second engagement portion216 which may be suitably shaped and sized so as to be capable ofengaging the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400.The second engagement portion 216 may include one or more anti-slipsurfaces 218 (e.g., provided by gritted anti-slip adhesive tape or otheranti-slip elements) disposed on an inner surface 220 of the secondengagement portion 216, as will be further described herein.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, and particularly in FIGS. 2A-2C,the mounting assembly 200 may further include a plurality of fasteners222, such as bolts or other suitable fasteners. Each of the plurality offasteners 222 may extend through respective openings of the first andsecond plurality of openings 204, 214 formed in the respective first andsecond mounting brackets 202, 212. As shown particularly in FIGS. 2A and2C, one of the plurality of fasteners 222 (e.g., the rearmost centerfastener 222) may additionally extend through the fulcrum assembly 300so as to pivotally attach the fulcrum assembly 300 to the mountingassembly 200, as will be further described herein. Furthermore, as shownparticularly in FIGS. 2A-2C, some of the plurality of fasteners 222 mayadditionally extend through a respective plurality of spacers 224 (e.g.,generally cylindrical spacers made from nylon, metal or other strong anddurable material) disposed between the first and second mountingbrackets 202, 212. As further shown particularly in FIGS. 2A-2C, whenthe plurality of fasteners 222 which extend through the plurality ofspacers 224 are securely fastened, as will be further described herein,the plurality of spacers 224 may be collectively capable of at leastadvantageously providing structural support and rigidity between thefirst and second mounting brackets 202, 212, especially in a generalarea, defined between the first and second mounting brackets 202, 212,where the plurality of spacers 224 are disposed and where the fulcrumassembly 300 may be pivotally attached to the mounting assembly 200. Inthis regard, each of the plurality of spacers 224 may be substantiallythe same size and may further advantageously space the first and secondmounting brackets 202, 212 apart from each other at a substantiallyconsistent, suitable distance to permit at least part of the fulcrumassembly 300 to be disposed between the first and second mountingbrackets 202, 212, especially in the general area, defined between thefirst and second mounting brackets 202, 212, where the plurality ofspacers 224 are disposed and where the fulcrum assembly 300 may bepivotally attached to the mounting assembly 200.

As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, and as will be further describedherein, one of the plurality of spacers 224 may additionally function orotherwise serve as a stop 226 which is capable of being contacted by thefulcrum assembly 300 so as to prevent the fulcrum assembly 300 fromfurther pivoting, with respect to at least the mounting assembly 200, ina first rotational direction RD1 when the fulcrum assembly 300 contactsthe stop 226. Each of the plurality of fasteners 222 may be tightly orotherwise securely fastened (e.g., by at least a respective plurality oflocknuts 228 being securely tightened on the plurality of fasteners222). As such, with the plurality of fasteners 222 securely fastened,the plurality of fasteners 222 may operably connect the first and secondmounting brackets 202, 212 to each other.

As shown particularly in FIG. 2C, with the elongated portion 402 of thelong-handled implement 400 disposed between the first and secondengagement portions 206, 216 of the respective first and second mountingbrackets 202, 212, and with the plurality of fasteners 222 securelyfastened, the plurality of fasteners 222 (e.g., especially the pluralityof fasteners 222 which are disposed closest to the elongated portion 402of the long-handled implement 400) may additionally provide a clampingforce CF to at least the first and second engagement portions 206, 216of the respective first and second mounting brackets 202, 212. In thisregard, with the clamping force CF provided to at least the first andsecond engagement portions 206, 216 of the respective first and secondmounting brackets 202, 212, the first and second engagement portions206, 216 may be tightly, or otherwise securely clamped against theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 so as to attachthe mounting assembly 200 to the elongated portion 402 of thelong-handled implement 400. In this regard, with the mounting assembly200 attached to the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement400, it is to be appreciated that the one or more anti-slip surfaces208, 218, which may be disposed on the respective inner surfaces 210,220 of the respective first and second engagement portions 206, 216 ofthe respective first and second mounting brackets 202, 212, may besecurely clamped against, and thus may substantially contact, theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 so as to furtheradvantageously prevent the mounting assembly 200 from rotating and/orsliding easily, or at all, with respect to the elongated portion 402 ofthe long-handled implement 400.

Furthermore, as shown particularly in FIGS. 2A-2C, given that at leastthe plurality of spacers 224 may be disposed generally away and rearwardfrom the first and second engagement portions 206, 216 of the respectivefirst and second mounting brackets 202, 212, the general front area ofthe mounting assembly 200 where the first and second engagement portions206, 216 are disposed may be relatively flexible and may thereforeadvantageously generally conform to different sizes and shapes (e.g.,varying diameters and/or taper angles) of the elongated portion 402 ofthe long-handled implement 400, especially once the plurality offasteners 222 which are disposed closest to the first and secondengagement portions 206, 216, and thus closest to the elongated portion402 of the long-handled implement 400, are securely fastened. In thisregard, based on such factors as a desired mounting location (e.g.,determined by a user), the mounting assembly 200 may be removablyattached to the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400at one of a plurality of different locations disposed along theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400, as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art. Alternatively, the mountingassembly 200 may be permanently attached to the elongated portion 402 ofthe long-handled implement 400 (e.g., at a fixed location). As anon-limiting example, some or all of the plurality of fasteners 222 maybe permanent or otherwise non-removable (e.g., such as permanentlysecured rivets). As further non-limiting examples, the mounting assembly200 may be permanently attached to the elongated portion 402 of thelong-handled implement 400 by way of an adhesive, a manufacturingprocess such as welding or being formed as an integral part of theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 (e.g., by way ofan injection molding process or other manufacturing process), as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art.

Regarding overall construction of the mounting assembly 200, as anon-limiting example, at least the first and second mounting brackets202, 212 may be made from any suitable material, including any suitablemetal which is preferably strong and durable, such as steel, aluminum,alloys, etc., and which may be formed by stamping, casting, machining orother manufacturing process, as may be understood by one skilled in theart. As another non-limiting example, at least the first and secondmounting brackets 202, 212 may be made from any suitable polymer whichis preferably strong and durable, such as a glass-filled nylon,high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),etc., and which may be injection molded or formed by other manufacturingprocesses, as may be understood by one skilled in the art. Furthermore,as a non-limiting example, at least the first and/or second mountingbrackets 202, 212 may include a plurality of reinforcement ribs (notshown) which may be integrally formed thereon, such as by way of aninjection molding process or other manufacturing process, and may becapable of replacing the plurality of spacers 224 (e.g., as previouslydescribed herein) of the mounting assembly 200.

Referring to at least FIGS. 1A-10B, the fulcrum assembly 300 of thelifting aid 100 will now be described in further detail. The fulcrumassembly 300 may include a substantially elongated fulcrum bar 302. Thefulcrum bar 302 has an upper end portion 304, a lower end portion 306disposed opposite the upper end portion 304 and an intermediate portion308 disposed between the upper and lower end portions 304, 306.

The fulcrum bar 302 further has a longitudinal centerline CL1 thereofextending through at least the upper end portion 304, the intermediateportion 308 and the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302. Asshown particularly in at least FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5B, the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 may have a generally flat bottomperipheral surface 310, which, in this example, is the lowermost part310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302. While in thisexample the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of thefulcrum bar 302 is shown to be generally flat, the lowermost part 310may be jagged, pointed, generally curved, etc., depending on suchfactors as the cross-sectional shape of the fulcrum bar 302 and theparticular configuration of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar302, as may be understood by one skilled in the art. Furthermore, thefulcrum bar 302 may be a hollow bar, a solid bar or a combination of ahollow and solid bar. In the case where the fulcrum bar 302 is a hollowbar, a cap or plug (not shown) may be temporarily placed over at leastthe lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar302 when the fulcrum bar 302 is to be contacting loose or soft groundsurfaces (e.g., gravel, soft soil, sand, etc.) so as to keep the insideof the hollow bar free from undesired buildup or clogging. Additionally,the fulcrum bar 302 may be a single bar, a plurality of bars formedtogether or a plurality of bars operably connected to each other, as maybe understood by one skilled in the art. Furthermore, as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the fulcrum bar 302 may have anysuitable overall longitudinal length or lateral width (e.g., based on atleast the particular long-handled implement on which the lifting aid 100is to be employed, based on user preferences, etc.) and may have across-sectional shape which is rectangular, circular or of any othersuitable shape.

Furthermore, as shown particularly in at least FIGS. 2A and 2C, thefulcrum bar 302 may further have at least one upper opening 312 formedtherein, and extending therethrough, proximate the upper end portion 304of the fulcrum bar 302.

Additionally, the fulcrum bar 302 may further have at least one loweropening 314 formed therein, and extending therethrough, proximate thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., as shownparticularly in at least FIGS. 4A and 4B), as will be further describedherein. As shown particularly in at least FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A-2C, thefulcrum bar 302 may be pivotally attached to the mounting assembly 200,proximate the upper end portion 304 of the fulcrum bar 302, by way ofthe one of the plurality of fasteners 222 (e.g., the rearmost centerfastener 222) of the mounting assembly 200, as previously describedherein, extending through the at least one upper opening 312 formed inthe fulcrum bar 302 and being securely fastened. Alternatively, whilenot shown in the figures, a bushing (e.g., a generally cylindrical brassbushing or other suitable bushing) may be secured in, and extendthrough, the at least one upper opening 312 formed in the fulcrum bar302. In this regard, the one of the plurality of fasteners 222 (e.g.,the rearmost center fastener 222) of the mounting assembly 200 mayextend through the bushing (not shown) and be securely fastened so as topivotally attach the fulcrum bar 302 to the mounting assembly 200, asmay be understood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown particularly in FIGS. 2A-2C, once the fulcrum bar 302,and thus the fulcrum assembly 300, is pivotally attached to the mountingassembly 200, the fulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrum assembly 300,may pivot freely with respect to at least the mounting assembly 200.Furthermore, at least part of the upper end portion 304 of the fulcrumbar 302 is capable of being disposed between the first and secondmounting brackets 202, 212 of the mounting assembly 200 and may pivot soas to contact the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200. When thefulcrum bar 302 contacts the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200, thefulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrum assembly 300, is thereby preventedfrom further pivoting with respect to at least the mounting assembly200, in the first rotational direction RD1, as will be further describedherein.

Regarding overall construction of the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrumassembly 300, as a non-limiting example, the fulcrum bar 302 may be madefrom any suitable material, which is preferably strong, rigid anddurable, such as steel, aluminum, alloys, some high-strength polymers,etc., and which may be formed by an extrusion manufacturing process orother manufacturing process, as may be understood by one skilled in theart.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A-4B, 9, 10A and 10B, the fulcrumassembly 300 may further include at least one skid shield, such as anexemplary skid shield 316. In this example, as shown particularly inFIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A-3C, 4A, 4B, 9, 10A and 10B, the skid shield 316 of thefulcrum assembly 300 may include a generally cylindrical or ring-shapedmain body 318, however, the overall shape of the main body 318 may beany suitable shape, as may be understood by one skilled in the art. Themain body 318 of the skid shield 316 may have a cavity 320 definedtherein and extending therethrough. The main body 318 of the skid shield316 may further have an inner circumferential surface 322 disposedwithin the cavity 320 and an outer circumferential surface 324 disposedoutside of the cavity 320. The main body 318 of the skid shield 316 mayfurther have a top portion 326 and a bottom portion 328, which may eachbe advantageously curved or at least generally curved, as will befurther described herein. The top portion 326 of the main body 318 ofthe skid shield 316 may have a top opening 330 formed therein which mayextend completely through at least the top portion 326 of the main body318. Furthermore, the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of theskid shield 316 may have a bottom opening 332 formed therein which mayextend completely through at least the bottom portion 328 of the mainbody 318 and which is substantially aligned with the top opening 330formed in the top portion 326 of the main body 318. The top and bottomopenings 330, 332 formed in the respective top and bottom portions 326,328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 are each preferablyshaped and sized so as to permit the fulcrum bar 302, and particularlyat least the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302, to beinserted into and extend through each of the top and bottom openings330, 332 and be capable of moving freely through the top and bottomopenings 330, 332. Furthermore, the top portion 326 of the main body 318of the skid shield 316 may have an upper part 334, which, in thisexample, may be the uppermost surface area of the outer circumferentialsurface 324 of the main body 318 which immediately surrounds the topopening 330 formed in the top portion 326 of the main body 318.Similarly, the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of the skidshield 316 may have a lower part 336, which, in this example, may be thelowermost surface area of the outer circumferential surface 324 of themain body 318 which immediately surrounds the bottom opening 332 formedin the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318.

Furthermore, while not shown in the figures, the skid shield 316 of thefulcrum assembly 300 may further include at least one replaceable wearelement (e.g., such as a film, a sheath, a strip, a layer, etc. madefrom a suitable wear-resistant material) which may be removably attached(e.g., by way of an adhesive or fasteners) to at least the bottomportion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 so as to becapable of increasing the overall lifespan of the skid shield 316 by atleast reducing wear directly on at least the bottom portion 328 of themain body 318 of the skid shield 316 (e.g., which may be caused bycontinual sliding or otherwise skidding over a surface, as will befurther described herein).

Regarding overall construction of the skid shield 316 of the fulcrumassembly 300, as a non-limiting example, the skid shield 316, andparticularly the main body 318 of the skid shield 316, may be made fromany suitable material, including any suitable polymer which ispreferably strong, rigid, durable and wear-resistant, such as aglass-filled nylon, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), etc., and which may be injection molded orformed by other manufacturing processes, as may be understood by oneskilled in the art. As another non-limiting example, the skid shield316, and particularly the main body 318 of the skid shield 316, may bemade from any suitable metal which is preferably strong, rigid, durableand wear-resistant, such as steel, aluminum, alloys, etc., and which maybe formed by an extrusion manufacturing process, casting or othermanufacturing process, as may be understood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown particularly in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A-3C, 4A, 4B, 9, 10A and10B, the skid shield 316 of the fulcrum assembly 300 may be operablycoupled to the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300, as will nowbe described in further detail. More specifically, the fulcrum assembly300 may further include a biasing member 338, which, as a non-limitingexample, may comprise a compression spring (e.g., made from any suitablematerial such as stainless steel, etc.) or other mass of compressiblematerial (e.g., made from any suitable elastomer, etc.). Furthermore, asshown particularly in FIGS. 3A-3C, 4A and 4C, at least the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 may be inserted and extend into eachof the top and bottom openings 330, 332 formed in the respective top andbottom portions 326, 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316.Additionally, at the same time, the biasing member 338 may be disposedwithin the cavity 320 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 andmay surround, or otherwise be disposed adjacent to, at least the lowerend portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., by way of at least thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 extending through aninterior of the biasing member 338). Furthermore, the fulcrum assembly300 may further include a generally elongated fastener 340 (e.g., suchas a spring pin fastener), which may be inserted and secured into the atleast one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302 proximate thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., as shownparticularly in at least FIGS. 4A and 4B). As such, the fastener 340 mayextend completely through and beyond the at least one lower opening 314formed in the fulcrum bar 302 proximate the lower end portion 306 of thefulcrum bar 302. Furthermore, the fastener 340 may extend at anorientation which is substantially perpendicular with respect to atleast the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 such that thefastener 340 is disposed within the cavity 320 of the main body 318 ofthe skid shield 316, between at least the inner circumferential surface322 of the main body 318 and the biasing member 338, so as to preventthe main body 318 from being removed from the fulcrum bar 302. As such,the biasing member 338 may be at least partially compressed (e.g., asshown in at least FIGS. 3A-3C) between the fastener 340 and the innercircumferential surface 322 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316.In this manner, the biasing member 338 is therefore capable of biasingthe skid shield 316, including at least the lower part 336 of the bottomportion 328 of the main body 318, downwardly with respect to at leastthe lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar302 (e.g., as shown in at least FIGS. 3A-3C), as will be furtherdescribed herein.

Therefore, given the overall relationship between the fulcrum bar 302 ofthe fulcrum assembly 300, the top and bottom openings 330, 332 formed inthe respective top and bottom portions 326, 328 of the main body 318 ofthe skid shield 316 of the fulcrum assembly 300, the at least one loweropening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302 proximate the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302, the fastener 340 of the fulcrumassembly 300 and the biasing member 338 of the fulcrum assembly 300, theskid shield 316 may therefore be operably coupled to the fulcrum bar302, proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302, suchthat (i) the longitudinal centerline CL1 of the fulcrum bar 302 extendsthrough at least the top and bottom openings 330, 332 formed in therespective top and bottom portions 326, 328 of the main body 318 of theskid shield 316, (ii) at least the lowermost part 310 of the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is capable of being disposed withinthe bottom opening 332 formed in the bottom portion 328 of the main body318 of the skid shield 316 (i.e., the bottom portion 328 of the mainbody 318 of the skid shield 316 therefore being disposed adjacent to atleast the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrumbar 302) and (iii) at least the lower part 336 of the bottom portion 328of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 is capable of moving, atleast in a substantially linear manner at least along the longitudinalcenterline CL1 of the fulcrum bar 302, upwardly above the lowermost part310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., when thefulcrum bar 302 is held stationary and an upward force UF applied to atleast the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316exceeds a biasing force BF of the biasing member 338—as shown in FIG.4A) and downwardly below the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., when the fulcrum bar 302 is heldstationary and the upward force UF applied to at least the bottomportion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 does not exceedthe biasing force BF of the biasing member 338 or when the upward forceUF is no longer applied to at least the bottom portion 328 of the mainbody 318 of the skid shield 316—as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C).

As shown in at least FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the at least one skidshield of the fulcrum assembly 300 may be an alternative exemplary skidshield 316′. In this example, the skid shield 316′ of the fulcrumassembly 300 may include a generally cylindrical, compressible main body318′, however, the overall shape of the main body 318′ may be anysuitable shape, as may be understood by one skilled in the art. The mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′ may have a generally elongated,compressible center section 319′. The main body 318′ of the skid shield316′ may further have a plurality of cavities 320′ defined therein andextending therethrough, which may each be disposed adjacent to at leastthe center section 319′ of the main body 318′. The main body 318′ of theskid shield 316′ may further have a plurality of generally curved innersurfaces 322′ each disposed within the respective plurality of cavities320′. The main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ may further have anouter circumferential surface 324′ disposed outside of the plurality ofcavities 320′. The main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ may furtherhave a top portion 326′ and a bottom portion 328′, which may each beadvantageously curved or at least generally curved, as will be furtherdescribed herein. The main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ may furtherhave a generally elongated central opening 330′ formed therein andextending completely through at least the top portion 326′, the centersection 319′ and the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′. Thecentral opening 330′ is preferably shaped and sized so as to permit thefulcrum bar 302, and particularly at least the lower end portion 306 ofthe fulcrum bar 302, to be inserted into and extend through the centralopening 330′ and be capable of moving freely through the central opening330′. The main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ may further have atleast one opening 331′ formed therein, and extending therethrough (e.g.,through the center section 319′ of the main body 318′), proximate thetop portion 326′ of the main body 318′, as will be further describedherein. Furthermore, the top portion 326′ of the main body 318′ of theskid shield 316′ may have an upper part 334′, which, in this example,may be the uppermost surface area of the outer circumferential surface324′ of the main body 318′ which immediately surrounds the centralopening 330′ formed in and extending through the main body 318′.Similarly, the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skidshield 316′ may have a lower part 336′, which, in this example, may bethe lowermost surface area of the outer circumferential surface 324′ ofthe main body 318′ which immediately surrounds the central opening 330′formed in and extending through the main body 318′.

Furthermore, while not shown in the figures, the skid shield 316′ of thefulcrum assembly 300 may further include at least one replaceable wearelement (e.g., such as a film, a sheath, a strip, a layer, etc. madefrom a suitable wear-resistant material) which may be removably attached(e.g., by way of an adhesive or fasteners) to at least the bottomportion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ so as to becapable of increasing the overall lifespan of the skid shield 316′ by atleast reducing wear directly on at least the bottom portion 328′ of themain body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ (e.g., which may be caused bycontinual sliding or otherwise skidding over a surface, as will befurther described herein).

Regarding overall construction of the skid shield 316′ of the fulcrumassembly 300, as a non-limiting example, the skid shield 316′, andparticularly the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′, may be madefrom any suitable compressible material, including any suitableelastomer which is preferably compressible and resilient, such asurethanes, natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, etc., and which may beinjection molded or formed by other manufacturing processes, as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the skid shield 316′ of thefulcrum assembly 300 may be operably coupled to the fulcrum bar 302 ofthe fulcrum assembly 300, as will now be described in further detail. Asshown particularly in at least FIGS. 5A and 5B, at least the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 may be inserted and extend into thecentral opening 330′ formed in the main body 318′ of the skid shield316′. Furthermore, the generally elongated fastener 340 (e.g., such as aspring pin fastener) of the fulcrum assembly 300, as previouslydescribed herein, may be inserted into the at least one opening 331′formed in the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ and further securedinto the at least one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., asshown particularly in at least FIGS. 5A, 6A and 6B). As such, thefastener 340 may extend at an orientation which is substantiallyperpendicular with respect to at least the lower end portion 306 of thefulcrum bar 302, while extending through the at least one opening 331′formed in the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ and completelythrough the at least one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302. In thismanner, the fastener 340 prevents the main body 318′ of the skid shield316′ from being removed from the fulcrum bar 302. Furthermore, as shownparticularly in FIGS. 5A and 5B, at least the center section 319′ of themain body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ is capable of acting as a biasingmember 338′, and is therefore capable of biasing the skid shield 316′,including at least the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of theskid shield 316′ and the lower part 336′ of the bottom portion 328′ ofthe main body 318′, downwardly with respect to at least the lowermostpart 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., whenthe compressible material of the skid shield 316′, including at leastthe compressible material of the center section 319′ and the bottomportion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′, isdecompressed), as will be further described herein.

Therefore, given the overall relationship between the fulcrum bar 302 ofthe fulcrum assembly 300, the central opening 330′ formed in the mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′ of the fulcrum assembly 300, the atleast one opening 331′ formed in the main body 318′ of the skid shield316′, the at least one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 and thefastener 340 of the fulcrum assembly 300 (e.g., as previously describedherein), the skid shield 316′ may therefore be operably coupled to thefulcrum bar 302, proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar302, such that (i) the longitudinal centerline CL1 of the fulcrum bar302 extends through at least the central opening 330′ formed in the mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′, (ii) at least the lowermost part 310of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is capable of beingdisposed within the central opening 330′ formed in the main body 318′ ofthe skid shield 316′ (i.e., the bottom portion 328′ of the main body318′ of the skid shield 316′ therefore being disposed adjacent to atleast the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrumbar 302), (iii) at least the bottom portion 328′ (e.g., the compressiblematerial thereof) of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ iscapable of being compressed, at least in a substantially linear mannerat least along the longitudinal centerline CL1 of the fulcrum bar 302,upwardly above the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 ofthe fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., when the fulcrum bar 302 is held stationaryand an upward force UF′ applied to at least the bottom portion 328′ ofthe main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ is sufficient to compress atleast the compressible material of the bottom portion 328′ and centersection 319′ of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′—as shown inFIG. 6A) such that at least the lowermost part 310 of the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is disposed outside of (i.e., below)the central opening 330′ formed in the main body 318′ of the skid shield316′ (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6A) and (iv) at least the bottom portion328′ (e.g., the compressible material thereof) of the main body 318′ ofthe skid shield 316′ is further capable of being decompressed, at leastin a substantially linear manner at least along the longitudinalcenterline CL1 of the fulcrum bar 302, downwardly below the lowermostpart 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., whenthe fulcrum bar 302 is held stationary and the upward force UF′ appliedto at least the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skidshield 316′ is not sufficient to compress at least the compressiblematerial of the bottom portion 328′ and center section 319′ of the mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′, or when the upward force UF′ is notapplied to at least the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of theskid shield 316′—as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) such that at least thelowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302is disposed within the central opening 330′ formed in the main body 318′of the skid shield 316′ (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

As shown in at least FIGS. 7A-7C, 8A and 8B, the at least one skidshield of the fulcrum assembly 300 may be yet another alternativeexemplary skid shield in the form of first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″. In this example, each of the respective first and secondskid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300 may include agenerally cylindrical, generally circular or otherwise wheel-likecompressible main body 318A″, 318B″, however, the overall shape of eachof the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ may be any suitable shape, asmay be understood by one skilled in the art. The main body 318A″, 318B″of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ mayhave a generally circular center section 319A″, 319B″. The main body318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ may further have a plurality of cavities 320A″, 320B″defined therein and extending therethrough, which may each be disposedadjacent to at least the center section 319A″, 319B″ of the main body318A″, 318B″. The main body 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective firstand second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ may further have a plurality ofgenerally curved inner surfaces 322A″, 322B″ each disposed within therespective plurality of cavities 320A″, 320B″. The main body 318A″,318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″,316B″ may further have an outer circumferential surface 324A″, 324B″disposed outside of the plurality of cavities 320A″, 320B″. The mainbody 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ may further have a top portion 326A″, 326B″ and abottom portion 328A″, 328B″, which may each be advantageously curved orat least generally curved, as will be further described herein. The mainbody 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ may further have at least one opening 331A″, 331B″formed therein, and extending therethrough, at or proximate a center ofthe center section 319A″, 319B″ of the main body 318A″, 318B″, as willbe further described herein. Furthermore, the top portion 326A″, 326B″of each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of therespective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ may have an upperpart 334A″, 334B″, which, in this example, may be the uppermost surfacearea of the outer circumferential surface 324A″, 324B″ of the main body318A″, 318B″. Similarly, the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of therespective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first andsecond skid shields 316A″, 316B″ may have a lower part 336A″, 336B″,which, in this example, may be the lowermost surface area of the outercircumferential surface 324A″, 324B″ of the main body 318A″, 318B″.

Furthermore, while not shown in the figures, each of the respectivefirst and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300may further include at least one replaceable wear element (e.g., such asa film, a sheath, a strip, a layer, etc. made from a suitablewear-resistant material) which may be removably attached (e.g., by wayof an adhesive or fasteners) to at least the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″of the main body 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and secondskid shields 316A″, 316B″ so as to be capable of increasing the overalllifespan of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″,316B″ by at least reducing wear directly on at least the bottom portion328A″, 328B″ of the main body 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respectivefirst and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ (e.g., which may be caused bycontinual sliding or otherwise skidding over a surface, as will befurther described herein).

Regarding overall construction of each of the respective first andsecond skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300, as anon-limiting example, each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″, and particularly the main body 318A″, 318B″ ofeach of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″, maybe made from any suitable material, including any suitable elastomerwhich is preferably compressible and resilient, such as urethanes,natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, etc., and which may be injectionmolded or formed by other manufacturing processes, as may be understoodby one skilled in the art.

As further shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, 8A and 8B, each of the respective firstand second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300 may beoperably coupled to the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300, aswill now be described in further detail. More specifically, at least thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 may be disposed between, orotherwise adjacent to, each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″.Furthermore, the generally elongated fastener 340 (e.g., in this case,an axle, bolt or other suitable fastener) of the fulcrum assembly 300may be inserted into, and extend through, the at least one opening331A″, 331B″ formed in each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ andthrough the at least one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., asshown particularly in at least FIGS. 7A and 7B). As such, the fastener340 may extend at an orientation which is substantially perpendicularwith respect to at least the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar302, while extending through the at least one opening 331A″, 331B″formed in each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of therespective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ and through the atleast one lower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302 proximate thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302. In this manner, whensecurely fastened (e.g., by way of a nut or cotter pin (not shown) beingsecurely fastened on the fastener 340), the fastener 340 prevents eachof the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respectivefirst and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ from being removed from thefulcrum bar 302. Furthermore, based on at least the type of fastener 340employed, each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of therespective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ may be rotatablyoperably coupled to the fulcrum bar 302 or non-rotatably operablycoupled to the fulcrum bar 302, as may be understood by one skilled inthe art.

Therefore, given the overall relationship between the fulcrum bar 302 ofthe fulcrum assembly 300, the at least one opening 331A″, 331B″ formedin each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of therespective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″, the at least onelower opening 314 formed in the fulcrum bar 302 proximate the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 and the fastener 340 of the fulcrumassembly 300, each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ may therefore be operably coupled to the fulcrum bar 302,proximate the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302, such that(i) at least the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respectivemain bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ is disposed adjacent to the lowermost part 310 ofthe lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302, (ii) at least thebottom portion 328A″, 328B″(e.g., the compressible material thereof,including at least the compressible material of the lower part 336A″,336B″ of the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″) of each of the respective mainbodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ is capable of being compressed, at least in asubstantially linear manner, upwardly above the lowermost part 310 ofthe lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., when the fulcrumbar 302 is held stationary and an upward force UF″ applied to at leastthe bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective main bodies318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ is sufficient to compress at least the compressiblematerial of the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respectivemain bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″—as shown in FIG. 8A) and (iii) at least the bottomportion 328A″, 328B″ (e.g., the compressible material thereof, includingat least the compressible material of the lower part 336A″, 336B″ of thebottom portion 328A″, 328B″) of each of the respective main bodies318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ is further capable of being decompressed, at least in asubstantially linear manner, downwardly below the lowermost part 310 ofthe lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 (e.g., when the fulcrumbar 302 is held stationary and the upward force UF″ applied to at leastthe bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective main bodies318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ is not sufficient to compress at least the compressiblematerial of the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respectivemain bodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″, or when the upward force UF″ is not applied to atleast the bottom portion 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective mainbodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″—as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C).

Referring to at least FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, the use of the lifting aid100 when attached to a long-handled implement, such as the long-handledimplement 400, will now be described in further detail. Morespecifically, the lifting aid 100 may be attached to the long-handledimplement 400, such as by way of attaching the mounting assembly 200 ofthe lifting aid 100 to the elongated portion 402 of the long-handledimplement 400 (e.g., in a manner as previously described herein). Forpurposes of simplicity and clarity of the detailed description, theexemplary skid shield 316 of the fulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid100 is shown in at least FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, however, it is to beunderstood that the alternative exemplary skid shield 316′ and thefurther alternative exemplary first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″of the fulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid 100, as previouslydescribed herein, may be shown in the same manner as the skid shield 316is shown in FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B. As such, the skid shield 316′ and thefirst and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300will also be further referenced and described herein with regard to atleast FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, as may be understood by one skilled in theart.

As shown particularly in FIG. 9, in this example, the fulcrum assembly300 of the lifting aid 100 may be in a stopped, substantially uprightsupporting position (e.g., at a time when the long-handled implement 400is stationary and ready for use but is not yet being handled and/ormoved by a user U1), as will be further described herein. In thestopped, substantially upright supporting position, the skid shield 316,the skid shield 316′ and the first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″of the fulcrum assembly 300 are each capable of contacting a groundsurface GS1. The ground surface GS1 may be at least partially or fullydisposed beneath the long-handled implement 400 during use. Furthermore,depending on such factors as the particular type of long-handledimplement being used, and the particular intended purpose, the groundsurface GS1 may be, for example, asphalt, concrete, gravel, stone, soil,sand, wood, grass, ground surfaces covered in snow and/or ice, etc., asmay be understood by one skilled in the art. In this particular example,the long-handled implement 400 may be a long-handled snow shovel, and assuch, the ground surface GS1 (e.g., the ground surface of an asphalt,concrete or gravel driveway or walkway) may be covered in snow and/orice during use of the long-handled implement 400. In other examples,such as when the long-handled implement 400 is a spade (not shown) usedfor digging, the ground surface may be soil, stone, sand, grass, etc.,as may be understood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown in FIG. 9, in the stopped, substantially uprightsupporting position, the fulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrum assembly300, may be oriented so as to extend substantially upright and maycontact the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200 (e.g., as shownparticularly in at least FIG. 2B). Furthermore, while not yet in asubstantially upright fulcrum position per se (e.g., so as to functionor otherwise serve as a fulcrum, as will be further described herein),the fulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrum assembly 300, may be capableof at least generally supporting at least part of the long-handledimplement 400 upwardly away from the ground surface GS1 when in thestopped, substantially upright supporting position. As further shown inFIG. 9, when the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300 contactsthe stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200, an angle α1 may be definedbetween the longitudinal centerline CL1 of the fulcrum bar 302 and alongitudinal centerline CL2 of the elongated portion 402 of thelong-handled implement 400. In this regard, as further shown in FIG. 9,as a non-limiting example, the angle α1 may be an angle which ispreferably in a range of about 35° to about 40°, although angles ofother magnitudes may be defined between the longitudinal centerline CL1of the fulcrum bar 302 and the longitudinal centerline CL2 of theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400, as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art.

As shown particularly in FIG. 10A, in this example, the user U1 usingthe long-handled implement 400 (e.g., shoveling snow) may slide orotherwise move (e.g., by pushing and pulling) the long-handled implement400 generally forwards and backwards across the ground surface GS1. Atthe same time, depending on the actions of the user U1, the fulcrum bar302, and thus the fulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid 100, may pivotwith respect to at least the mounting assembly 200 of the lifting aid100 generally forwards in the first rotational direction RD1 andgenerally backwards in a second rotational direction RD2 which isopposite the first rotational direction RD1. Similarly, at the sametime, depending on the actions of the user U1, the skid shield 316, theskid shield 316′ and the first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ ofthe fulcrum assembly 300 may contact the ground surface GS1 and maycontinually move (e.g., slide or otherwise skid) generally forwards andbackwards across the ground surface GS1. In this manner, as shown inFIG. 10A, while moving simultaneously along with the long-handledimplement 400, the fulcrum assembly 300 may therefore be in anon-supporting position (i.e., the fulcrum assembly 300 being generallynon-load bearing) in which the ground surface GS1 and/or the user U1,rather than the fulcrum assembly 300, generally supports at least partof the long-handled implement 400 upwardly away from the ground surfaceGS1.

Furthermore, given that at least the bottom portion 328 of the main body318 of the skid shield 316, at least the bottom portion 328′ of the mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′ and at least each of the bottomportions 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ maybe curved or at least generally curved (e.g., as previously describedherein and shown in at least FIGS. 3A-3C, 5A, 5B and 7A-7C), the skidshield 316, the skid shield 316′ and the first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300 may advantageously experienceless ground surface contact, friction and wear thereon when contactingthe ground surface GS1 and may therefore also continually move (e.g.,slide or otherwise skid) generally forwards and backwards across theground surface GS1 more easily, smoothly and efficiently.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 10A, given that the fulcrum assembly 300in the non-supporting position is generally non-load bearing, when theskid shield 316, the skid shield 316′ and each of the first and secondskid shields 316A″, 316B″ contacts the ground surface GS1 andcontinually moves generally forwards and backwards across the groundsurface GS1, at least the lower part 336 of the bottom portion 328 ofthe main body 318 of the skid shield 316, at least the lower part 336′of the bottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′and at least each of the lower parts 336A″, 336B″ of each of therespective bottom portions 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective mainbodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ may be disposed below, or otherwise at leastgenerally downward of, at least the lowermost part 310 of the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300 (e.g., asshown in FIGS. 3A-3C, 5A, 5B and 7A-7C), thus advantageously preventingat least the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of thefulcrum bar 302 from contacting the ground surface GS1. In this regard,it is especially advantageous that at least the lowermost part 310 ofthe lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 be prevented fromcontacting the ground surface GS1 while the long-handled implement 400and fulcrum assembly 300 slide or otherwise move generally forwards andbackwards across the ground surface GS1, since at this time, the user U1may not yet desire lifting assistance from the lifting aid 100 andtherefore may not yet desire the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly300 to contact the ground surface GS1 (i.e., since contacting the groundsurface GS1 at this time may cause at least the lowermost part 310 ofthe lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 to dig or bite into theground surface GS1 and thus substantially inhibit the user U1 fromsliding or otherwise moving the long-handled implement 400 generallyforwards and backwards across the ground surface GS1). Furthermore, inorder to protect at least the lowermost part 310 of the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 from experiencing undesirable wearand/or damage while the long-handled implement 400 and fulcrum assembly300 slide or otherwise move generally forwards and backwards across theground surface GS1, it is especially advantageous that at least thelowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302be prevented from contacting the ground surface GS1 (e.g., by way of theskid shield 316, the skid shield 316′ and each of the first and secondskid shields 316A″, 316B″, as previously described herein) while thelong-handled implement 400 and fulcrum assembly 300 slide or otherwisemove generally forwards and backwards across the ground surface GS1.

In other examples, such as when the long-handled implement 400 employingthe lifting aid 100 is a spade (not shown) or crowbar (not shown) beingused for digging or prying primarily at a specific location, dependingon the actions of the user U1 and the particular manner in which thelong-handled implement 400 is used, it is to be understood that thefulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid 100 may or may not continuallymove (e.g., continually slide or otherwise skid) across a ground/supportsurface disposed at the specific location, but rather, the fulcrumassembly 300, and particularly the skid shield 316, the skid shield 316′and the first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrumassembly 300, may remain substantially stationary when in contact withthe ground/support surface disposed at the specific location.

As shown particularly in FIG. 10B, during use of the long-handledimplement 400 (e.g., while shoveling snow), when the user U1 desireslifting assistance from the lifting aid 100 (e.g., assistance withlifting the long-handled implement 400 so as to throw, push or otherwisedisplace the shoveled/collected snow to a desired location), the fulcrumassembly 300 of the lifting aid 100 may be pivoted from thenon-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10A), as previouslydescribed herein, to a substantially upright fulcrum position in whichthe fulcrum assembly 300 is advantageously capable of functioning orotherwise serving as a fulcrum. During the transition between thenon-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10A) and thesubstantially upright fulcrum position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10B), thefulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300 may pivot generally forwardsin the first rotational direction RD1 with respect to at least themounting assembly 200 (e.g., which may be initiated by the user U1lifting at least an upper part 404 of the elongated portion 402 of thelong-handled implement 400), but not further beyond or otherwise pastthe stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200. More specifically, if andwhen the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300 contacts the stop226 of the mounting assembly 200, the stop 226 is advantageously capableof preventing the fulcrum bar 302 from further pivoting in the firstrotational direction RD1 beyond or otherwise past the stop 226 (i.e.,which, if permitted, may be disadvantageous for the user U1 since thefulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrum assembly 300, may then be orientedtoo far forward during the transition between the non-supportingposition and the substantially upright fulcrum position). In thismanner, the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200 may furtheradvantageously ensure that the fulcrum bar 302, and thus the fulcrumassembly 300, is capable of being oriented in an optimal, substantiallyupright position, particularly with respect to at least the long-handledimplement 400 and the ground surface GS1, during the transition betweenthe non-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10A) and thesubstantially upright fulcrum position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10B).

With further reference to FIG. 10B, the further transitioning of thefulcrum assembly 300 into the substantially upright fulcrum position(i.e., during which lifting assistance is provided to the user U1 by wayof the lifting aid 100) will now be further described herein and withparticular reference to the exemplary skid shield 316, the alternativeexemplary skid shield 316′ and the further alternative exemplary firstand second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300 of thelifting aid 100.

With further reference to FIG. 10B, regarding the skid shield 316 of thefulcrum assembly 300, when the skid shield 316 contacts the groundsurface GS1 (e.g., when the fulcrum assembly 300 is pivoted so as to bein the optimal, substantially upright position, as previously describedherein) and a downward force DF1 exceeding a certain amount is appliedby the user U1 to at least the upper part 404 of the elongated portion402 of the long-handled implement 400 (i.e., the downward force DF1applied by the user U1 being at least a sufficient amount to initiatedownward movement of at least the upper part 404 of the elongatedportion 402 of the long-handled implement 400, as may be understood byone skilled in the art), (i) at least the lowermost part 310 of thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300moves downwardly, with respect to at least the lower part 336 of thebottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 (e.g.,when the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 is supported on the groundsurface GS1 and a downward force DF2 exerted on the fulcrum bar 302exceeds the biasing force BF of the biasing member 338 of the fulcrumassembly 300—as shown in FIG. 4B), such that at least the lowermost part310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is disposedoutside of (i.e., below) the bottom opening 332 formed in the bottomportion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 and contacts theground surface GS1 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B) and (ii) at least a lowerpart 406 of the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400pivots generally upwardly, with respect to at least the fulcrum assembly300, thereby lifting at least a lower part 408 (e.g., a shovel blade) ofthe long-handled implement 400 generally upwardly away from the groundsurface GS1 and advantageously assisting the user U1.

With further regard to at least the fulcrum bar 302, the skid shield 316and the biasing member 338 of the fulcrum assembly 300 of the liftingaid 100, when the fulcrum assembly 300 is in the substantially uprightfulcrum position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10B) and assisting the user U1with lifting the long-handled implement 400, as previously describedherein, it is to be understood that the biasing member 338 (e.g., whichmay be a compression spring) may be fully compressed (e.g., as shown inFIG. 4B) or may be partially compressed when at least the lowermost part310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is disposedoutside of (i.e., below) the bottom opening 332 formed in the bottomportion 328 of the main body 318 of the skid shield 316 and contacts theground surface GS1 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B). More specifically, theextent of which the biasing member 338 compresses may depend on suchfactors as the amount of downward force DF2 which is exerted on thefulcrum bar 302 and the hardness of the particular ground surface GS1 onwhich the skid shield 316 is supported and which at least the lowermostpart 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 contacts.For example, when at least the lowermost part 310 of the lower endportion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 contacts a relatively hard groundsurface GS1 (e.g., concrete, asphalt, compacted soil or clay, a groundsurface covered in compacted snow and/or ice, etc.), at least thelowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302may be disposed to a lesser extent outside of (i.e., below) the bottomopening 332 formed in the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of theskid shield 316, thus resulting in the biasing member 338 beingcompressed to a lesser extent (i.e., being partially compressed).Alternatively, for example, when at least the lowermost part 310 of thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 contacts a relatively softground surface GS1 (e.g., soft soil, loose stone, sand, a ground surfacecovered in a thick layer of soft or lightly compacted snow, etc.), atleast the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrumbar 302 may be disposed to a greater extent outside of (i.e., below) thebottom opening 332 formed in the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318of the skid shield 316, thus resulting in the biasing member 338 beingcompressed to a greater extent, up to the point of being fullycompressed, as shown in FIG. 4B. When the biasing member 338 is fullycompressed, the biasing member 338 is advantageously capable offunctioning or otherwise serving as a high load-bearing, structuralcomponent of the fulcrum assembly 300, and may therefore withstand arelatively high amount of downward force DF2 which may be exerted on thefulcrum bar 302 and further distributed to the fully compressed biasingmember 338 and to the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318 of theskid shield 316 which is supported on the ground surface GS1. As such,the biasing member 338 being capable of functioning or otherwise servingas a high load-bearing, structural component of the fulcrum assembly 300enables the fulcrum assembly 300, including at least the skid shield 316thereof, to withstand higher loads when assisting the user U1 withlifting the long-handled implement 400. In this regard, when the biasingmember 338 is fully compressed and functions or otherwise serves as ahigh load-bearing, structural component of the fulcrum assembly 300, atleast the lowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrumbar 302 may be disposed to a maximum extent outside of (i.e., below) thebottom opening 332 formed in the bottom portion 328 of the main body 318of the skid shield 316 and penetrate downwardly into the ground surfaceGS1, as shown in FIG. 4B. This is especially advantageous when thelong-handled implement 400 is a snow shovel or a spade being used by theuser U1 on a softer ground surface GS1 (e.g., during snow removal ordigging), and may further advantageously stabilize the fulcrum assembly300 when experiencing higher loads in the substantially upright fulcrumposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10B), as may be appreciated andunderstood by one skilled in the art.

With further reference to FIG. 10B, regarding the skid shield 316′ ofthe fulcrum assembly 300, when the skid shield 316′ contacts the groundsurface GS1 (e.g., when the fulcrum assembly 300 is pivoted so as to bein the optimal, substantially upright position, as previously describedherein) and the downward force DF1 exceeding a certain amount is appliedby the user U1 to at least the upper part 404 of the elongated portion402 of the long-handled implement 400 (i.e., the downward force DF1applied by the user U1 being at least a sufficient amount to initiatedownward movement of at least the upper part 404 of the elongatedportion 402 of the long-handled implement 400, as may be understood byone skilled in the art), (i) at least the lowermost part 310 of thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300moves downwardly, with respect to at least the lower part 336′ of thebottom portion 328′ of the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ (e.g.,when the main body 318′ of the skid shield 316′ is supported on theground surface GS1 and the downward force DF2 exerted on the fulcrum bar302 is sufficient to compress at least the compressible material of thebottom portion 328′ and center section 319′ of the main body 318′ of theskid shield 316′—as shown in FIG. 6B), such that at least the lowermostpart 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 is disposedoutside of (i.e., below) the central opening 330′ formed in the mainbody 318′ of the skid shield 316′ and contacts the ground surface GS1(e.g., as shown in FIG. 6B) and (ii) at least the lower part 406 of theelongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 pivots generallyupwardly, with respect to at least the fulcrum assembly 300, therebylifting at least the lower part 408 (e.g., a shovel blade) of thelong-handled implement 400 generally upwardly away from the groundsurface GS1 and advantageously assisting the user U1.

With further reference to FIG. 10B, regarding each of the respectivefirst and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″ of the fulcrum assembly 300,when each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″contact the ground surface GS1 (e.g., when the fulcrum assembly 300 ispivoted so as to be in the optimal, substantially upright position, aspreviously described herein) and the downward force DF1 exceeding acertain amount is applied by the user U1 to at least the upper part 404of the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 (i.e.,the downward force DF1 applied by the user U1 being at least asufficient amount to initiate downward movement of at least the upperpart 404 of the elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400,as may be understood by one skilled in the art), (i) at least thelowermost part 310 of the lower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302of the fulcrum assembly 300 moves downwardly, with respect to at leasteach of the respective lower parts 336A″, 336B″ of each of therespective bottom portions 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective mainbodies 318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skidshields 316A″, 316B″ (e.g., when each of the respective main bodies318A″, 318B″ of each of the respective first and second skid shields316A″, 316B″ are supported on the ground surface GS1 and the downwardforce DF2 exerted on the fulcrum bar 302 is sufficient to compress atleast the compressible material of each of the respective bottomportions 328A″, 328B″ of each of the respective main bodies 318A″, 318B″of each of the respective first and second skid shields 316A″, 316B″—asshown in FIG. 8B), such that at least the lowermost part 310 of thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 contacts the ground surfaceGS1 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B) and (ii) at least the lower part 406 ofthe elongated portion 402 of the long-handled implement 400 pivotsgenerally upwardly, with respect to at least the fulcrum assembly 300,thereby lifting at least the lower part 408 (e.g., a shovel blade) ofthe long-handled implement 400 generally upwardly away from the groundsurface GS1 and advantageously assisting the user U1.

Referring to at least FIGS. 11-14, the lifting aid 1000 and thelong-handled implement 4000 are shown. As shown in at least FIGS. 12,13A, 13B and 14, the long-handled implement 4000 may be a long-handledshovel (e.g., a long-handled snow shovel), however, the long-handledimplement 4000 may be any type of long-handled implement such as, butnot limited to, various types of long-handled spades, landscaping tools,pitchforks, crowbars/pry bars, etc., as may be understood by one skilledin the art.

As further shown in at least FIGS. 11-14, the lifting aid 1000 mayinclude a mounting assembly 2000 which may be attached to an elongatedportion 4002 (e.g., a portion of a handle and/or a shaft) of thelong-handled implement 4000. The mounting assembly 2000 may be the sameas the mounting assembly 200 of the lifting aid 100, as previouslydescribed herein. As such, further specific details regarding themounting assembly 2000, including at least the attachment thereof to theelongated portion 4002 of the long-handled implement 4000, will not befurther described herein given that such specific details have beenpreviously described herein with reference to the mounting assembly 200of the lifting aid 100.

As further shown in at least FIGS. 11-14, the lifting aid 1000 mayfurther include a fulcrum assembly 3000. The fulcrum assembly 3000 mayinclude a substantially elongated fulcrum bar 3002 having an upper endportion 3004, a lower end portion 3006 disposed opposite the upper endportion 3004 and an intermediate portion 3008 disposed between the upperand lower end portions 3004, 3006. The fulcrum bar 3002 further has alongitudinal centerline CL100 thereof extending through at least theupper end portion 3004, the intermediate portion 3008 and the lower endportion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002. The fulcrum bar 3002 may bepivotally attached to the mounting assembly 2000, proximate the upperend portion 3004 of the fulcrum bar 3002, so as to pivotally attach thefulcrum assembly 3000 to the mounting assembly 2000. The fulcrum bar3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 may be the same as the fulcrum bar 302of the fulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid 100, as previouslydescribed herein, except that the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrumassembly 3000 may not include the same at least one lower opening 314formed in, and extending through, the fulcrum bar 302 proximate thelower end portion 306 of the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly300, as previously described herein with regard to the lifting aid 100.Rather, the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 may include atleast one lower opening 3015 formed therein, and extending therethrough,proximate the intermediate portion 3008 of the fulcrum bar 3002 orproximate the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002, as will befurther described herein. As such, further specific details regardingthe fulcrum bar 3002, including at least the pivotal attachment thereofto the mounting assembly 2000, will not be further described hereingiven that such specific details have been previously described hereinwith reference to the fulcrum bar 302 of the fulcrum assembly 300 of thelifting aid 100.

As further shown in FIGS. 11-14, the fulcrum assembly 3000 may furtherinclude a substantially elongated flexible member 3050 having an upperend portion 3052, a lower end portion 3054 disposed opposite the upperend portion 3052 of the flexible member 3050 and an intermediate portion3056 disposed between the upper and lower end portions 3052, 3054 of theflexible member 3050. The lower end portion 3054 of the flexible member3050 may be attached to the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly3000 by way of the lower end portion 3054 of the flexible member 3050extending through, and being secured in (e.g., with a crimp, fastener,knot, etc.), the at least one lower opening 3015 formed in the fulcrumbar 3002 proximate the intermediate portion 3008 of the fulcrum bar 3002or proximate the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002.

Additionally, as further shown in FIGS. 11-14, an overall length of theflexible member 3050 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 may be advantageouslygreater than an overall length of the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrumassembly 3000. More specifically, with the overall length of theflexible member 3050 being greater than the overall length of thefulcrum bar 3002, and with at least the upper end portion 3052 of theflexible member 3050 advantageously not being attached to the fulcrumbar 3002, the flexible member 3050, including at least the upper endportion 3052 of the flexible member 3050, is advantageously permitted toextend at least substantially away from the fulcrum bar 3002. As such,at least the upper end portion 3052 of the flexible member 3050 isadvantageously capable of being grasped by a user U100, standing with arelatively straight posture, at a distance substantially away from thefulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 (e.g., as shown in FIGS.13A and 13B). In this regard, the upper end portion 3052 of the flexiblemember 3050 may include a handle portion 3058 (e.g., such as a loophandle portion or other suitable handle portion). The handle portion3058 may have an opening 3060 extending therethrough capable ofreceiving at least a part of a hand of the user U100 therein (e.g., asshown in FIGS. 13A and 13B). As such, at least the handle portion 3058,or other portion of the flexible member 3050, is advantageously capableof being grasped and moved by the user U100 so as to pivot the fulcrumbar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 with respect to at least themounting assembly 2000 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B), as will befurther described herein. In this regard, the lower end portion 3054 ofthe flexible member 3050 being attached to the fulcrum bar 3002proximate the intermediate portion 3008 of the fulcrum bar 3002 orproximate the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002 isespecially advantageous. More specifically, as a result of at least thelower end portion 3054 of the flexible member 3050 being attached to thefulcrum bar 3002 proximate the intermediate portion 3008 of the fulcrumbar 3002 or proximate the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar3002, at least the fulcrum bar 3002 is advantageously capable ofpivoting with respect to at least the mounting assembly 2000 in asufficiently leveraged, operable manner (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13A)when the user U100 grasps and moves at least the handle portion 3058, orother portion, of the flexible member 3050. Furthermore, in this regard,as may be understood by one skilled in the art, if the lower end portion3054 of the flexible member 3050 were to be attached to the fulcrum bar3002 proximate the upper end portion 3004 of the fulcrum bar 3002, thefulcrum bar 3002 may not be capable of pivoting with respect to at leastthe mounting assembly 2000 in the sufficiently leveraged, operablemanner (i.e., which may be disadvantageous to the user U100) when theuser U100 grasps and moves at least the handle portion 3058, or otherportion, of the flexible member 3050.

With further regard to the flexible member 3050 of the fulcrum assembly3000, as a non-limiting example, the flexible member 3050 may compriseone of a wire, a cable, a string, a rope, a cord, a strap and a chain,made from any suitable material, however, other suitable flexiblemembers may be employed, as may be understood by one skilled in the art.

Referring to at least FIGS. 12, 13A, 13B and 14, the use of the liftingaid 1000 when attached to a long-handled implement, such as thelong-handled implement 4000, will now be described in further detail.More specifically, the lifting aid 1000 may be attached to thelong-handled implement 4000, such as by way of attaching the mountingassembly 2000 of the lifting aid 1000 to the elongated portion 4002 ofthe long-handled implement 4000 (e.g., in a manner as previouslydescribed herein).

As shown particularly in FIG. 12, the fulcrum assembly 3000 of thelifting aid 1000 may be in a stopped, substantially upright supportingposition, (e.g., at a time when the long-handled implement 4000 isstationary and ready for use but is not yet being handled and/or movedby the user U100), as will be further described herein. In the stopped,substantially upright supporting position, the lower end portion 3006 ofthe fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 is capable ofcontacting a ground surface GS100. The ground surface GS100 may be atleast partially or fully disposed beneath the long-handled implement4000 during use. Furthermore, depending on such factors as theparticular type of long-handled implement being used, and the particularintended purpose, the ground surface GS100 may be, for example, asphalt,concrete, gravel, stone, soil, sand, wood, grass, ground surfacescovered in snow and/or ice, etc., as may be understood by one skilled inthe art. In this particular example, the long-handled implement 4000 maybe a long-handled snow shovel, and as such, the ground surface GS100(e.g., the ground surface of an asphalt, concrete or gravel driveway orwalkway) may be covered in snow and/or ice during use of thelong-handled implement 4000. In other examples, such as when thelong-handled implement 4000 is a spade (not shown) used for digging, theground surface may be soil, stone, sand, grass, etc., as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown in FIG. 12, in the stopped, substantially uprightsupporting position, the fulcrum bar 3002, and thus the fulcrum assembly3000, may be oriented so as to extend substantially upright and maycontact a stop (i.e., the same as the stop 226 of the mounting assembly200 of the lifting aid 100 shown in FIG. 2B) of the mounting assembly2000. Furthermore, while not yet in a substantially upright fulcrumposition per se (e.g., so as to function or otherwise serve as afulcrum, as will be further described herein), the fulcrum bar 3002, andthus the fulcrum assembly 3000, may be capable of at least generallysupporting at least part of the long-handled implement 4000 upwardlyaway from the ground surface GS100 when in the stopped, substantiallyupright supporting position. As further shown in FIG. 12, when thefulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 contacts the stop (i.e.,the same as the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200 of the lifting aid100 shown in FIG. 2B) of the mounting assembly 2000, an angle α100 maybe defined between the longitudinal centerline CL100 of the fulcrum bar3002 and a longitudinal centerline CL200 of the elongated portion 4002of the long-handled implement 4000. In this regard, as further shown inFIG. 12, as a non-limiting example, the angle α100 may be an angle whichis preferably in a range of about 35° to about 40°, although angles ofother magnitudes may be defined between the longitudinal centerlineCL100 of the fulcrum bar 3002 and the longitudinal centerline CL200 ofthe elongated portion 4002 of the long-handled implement 4000, as may beunderstood by one skilled in the art.

As further shown in FIG. 12, and also in FIG. 14, the upper end portion3052 of the flexible member 3050 of the fulcrum assembly 3000, includingat least the handle portion 3058 of the upper end portion 3052 of theflexible member 3050, is capable of being removably attached to theelongated portion 4002 of the long-handled implement 4000 by way of aretaining element 4010 (e.g., a hook, a strap, an elastic band, a hookand loop fastener, etc.) when the flexible member 3050 is not beinggrasped by the user U100 or when otherwise not in use (e.g., when thelong-handled implement 4000 and lifting aid 1000 are in a stowed non-useposition as shown in FIG. 14).

As shown particularly in FIG. 13A, in this example, the user U100 usingthe long-handled implement 4000 (e.g., shoveling snow) may slide orotherwise move (e.g., by pushing and pulling) the long-handled implement4000 generally forwards and backwards across the ground surface GS100.At the same time, the user U100 may pivot the fulcrum bar 3002, and thusthe fulcrum assembly 3000, generally downwardly toward the groundsurface GS100, and thus generally forwards in a first rotationaldirection RD100, or generally upwardly away from the ground surfaceGS100, and thus generally backwards in a second rotational directionRD200, which is opposite the first rotational direction RD100, bygrasping and moving (i.e., lowering or raising) at least the handleportion 3058 of the upper portion 3052 of the flexible member 3050 ofthe fulcrum assembly 3000, or other portion of the flexible member 3050of the fulcrum assembly 3000. While the user U100 slides or otherwisemoves the long-handled implement 4000 generally forwards and backwardsacross the ground surface GS100, the user U100 may pivot the fulcrum bar3002, and thus the fulcrum assembly 3000, generally upwardly away fromthe ground surface GS100, in a manner as previously described herein,such that the fulcrum bar 3002, including at least the lower end portion3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002, does not contact the ground surface GS100and is maintained substantially away from (i.e., above) the groundsurface GS100. In this regard, the fulcrum assembly 3000 may thereforebe maintained in a non-supporting position (i.e., being non-loadbearing) in which the ground surface GS100 and/or the user U100, ratherthan the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000, generallysupports at least part of the long-handled implement 4000 upwardly awayfrom the ground surface GS100. Furthermore, in this regard, it isespecially advantageous that at least the lower end portion 3006 of thefulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 be prevented fromcontacting the ground surface GS100 while the long-handled implement4000 slides or otherwise moves generally forwards and backwards acrossthe ground surface GS100, since at this time, the user U100 may not yetdesire lifting assistance from the lifting aid 1000 and therefore maynot yet desire the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 tocontact the ground surface GS100 (i.e., since contacting the groundsurface GS100 at this time may cause at least the lower end portion 3006of the fulcrum bar 3002 to dig or bite into the ground surface GS100 andthus substantially inhibit the user U100 from sliding or otherwisemoving the long-handled implement 4000 generally forwards and backwardsacross the ground surface GS100). Furthermore, in order to protect atleast the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002 fromexperiencing undesirable wear and/or damage while the long-handledimplement 4000 slides or otherwise moves generally forwards andbackwards across the ground surface GS100, it is especially advantageousthat at least the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002 beprevented from contacting the ground surface GS100 while thelong-handled implement 4000 slides or otherwise moves generally forwardsand backwards across the ground surface GS100.

As shown particularly in FIG. 13B, during use of the long-handledimplement 4000 (e.g., while shoveling snow), when the user U100 desireslifting assistance from the lifting aid 1000 (e.g., assistance withlifting the long-handled implement 4000 so as to throw, push orotherwise displace the shoveled/collected snow to a desired location),the fulcrum assembly 3000 of the lifting aid 1000 may be pivoted by theuser U100 from the non-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13A),as previously described herein, to a substantially upright fulcrumposition in which the fulcrum assembly 3000 is advantageously capable offunctioning or otherwise serving as a fulcrum. During the transitionbetween the non-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13A) and thesubstantially upright fulcrum position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13B), thefulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 may be pivoted by the userU100 generally forwards in the first rotational direction RD100 (i.e.,generally downwardly toward the ground surface GS100) with respect to atleast the mounting assembly 2000 (e.g., which may be initiated by theuser U100 grasping and moving (i.e., lowering) at least the handleportion 3058 of the upper portion 3052 of the flexible member 3050, orother portion of the flexible member 3050, so as to lower the fulcrumbar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 generally downwardly toward theground surface GS100, and thus generally forwards in the firstrotational direction RD100, while simultaneously lifting at least anupper part 4004 of the elongated portion 4002 of the long-handledimplement 4000), but not further beyond or otherwise past the stop(i.e., the same as the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200 of thelifting aid 100 shown in FIG. 2B) of the mounting assembly 2000. Morespecifically, if and when the fulcrum bar 3002 of the fulcrum assembly3000 contacts the stop (i.e., the same as the stop 226 of the mountingassembly 200 of the lifting aid 100 shown in FIG. 2B) of the mountingassembly 2000, the stop is advantageously capable of preventing thefulcrum bar 3002 from further pivoting in the first rotational directionRD100 beyond or otherwise past the stop (i.e., which, if permitted, maybe disadvantageous for the user U100 since the fulcrum bar 3002, andthus the fulcrum assembly 3000, may then be oriented too far forwardduring the transition between the non-supporting position and thesubstantially upright fulcrum position). In this manner, the stop (i.e.,the same as the stop 226 of the mounting assembly 200 of the lifting aid100 shown in FIG. 2B) of the mounting assembly 2000 may furtheradvantageously ensure that the fulcrum bar 3002, and thus the fulcrumassembly 3000, is capable of being oriented in an optimal, substantiallyupright position, particularly with respect to at least the long-handledimplement 4000 and the ground surface GS100, during the transitionbetween the non-supporting position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13A) and thesubstantially upright fulcrum position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13B).

With further reference to FIG. 13B, the further transitioning of thefulcrum assembly 3000 into the substantially upright fulcrum position(i.e., during which lifting assistance is provided to the user U100 byway of the lifting aid 1000) will now be further described herein. Morespecifically, when the lower end portion 3006 of the fulcrum bar 3002 ofthe fulcrum assembly 3000 contacts the ground surface GS100 (e.g., whenthe fulcrum assembly 3000 is pivoted by the user U100 so as to be in theoptimal, substantially upright position, as previously described herein)and a downward force DF100 exceeding a certain amount is applied by theuser U100 to at least the upper part 4004 of the elongated portion 4002of the long-handled implement 4000 (i.e., the downward force DF100applied by the user U100 being at least a sufficient amount to initiatedownward movement of at least the upper part 4004 of the elongatedportion 4002 of the long-handled implement 4000, as may be understood byone skilled in the art), at least a lower part 4006 of the elongatedportion 4002 of the long-handled implement 4000 pivots generallyupwardly, with respect to at least the fulcrum assembly 3000, therebylifting at least a lower part 4008 (e.g., a shovel blade) of thelong-handled implement 4000 generally upwardly away from the groundsurface GS100 and advantageously assisting the user U100.

As shown particularly in FIG. 14, the long-handled implement 4000 andthe lifting aid 1000 attached thereto may be in a stowed non-useposition. In the stowed non-use position, at least the fulcrum bar 3002and the flexible member 3050 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 may beadvantageously placed in a non-use position, such as while thelong-handled implement 4000 rests against a stationary object 5000, suchas a wall in a storage area, etc. Furthermore, it is to be understoodthat the long-handled implement 400 and the lifting aid 100, aspreviously described herein, may be advantageously placed in a similarstowed non-use position while not in use, as may be understood by oneskilled in the art.

With further regard to the lifting aid 1000, and particularly to theflexible member 3050 of the fulcrum assembly 3000 of the lifting aid1000, it is to be understood that such a flexible member 3050 may beimplemented on the fulcrum assembly 300 of the lifting aid 100, aspreviously described herein, so as to further provide a user, such asuser U1, with additional control over the pivotal movement andpositioning of the fulcrum assembly 300 while using the lifting aid 100,as may be understood by one skilled in the art.

With further regard to the present disclosure, it is to be appreciatedthat the exemplary lifting aids 100, 1000 for a long-handled implement,such as the exemplary long-handled implements 400, 4000, as previouslydescribed herein, are at least relatively simple in design, arerelatively light weight, may be advantageously used on various types oflong-handled implements and are at least relatively simple to use.Furthermore, the exemplary lifting aids 100, 1000, as previouslydescribed herein, are advantageously capable of enabling a user to bendover less and keep a straighter posture while using a long-handledimplement. Furthermore, the exemplary lifting aids 100, 1000, aspreviously described herein, advantageously enable a user to gainadditional leverage while using a long-handled implement, such as whileshoveling snow with a snow shovel or digging into soil or stone with aspade, thus making it easier for the user to lift or pry the loaded snowshovel or spade generally upwardly so as to throw, push or otherwisedisplace the snow, soil, stone, etc. to a desired location.

While one or more exemplary embodiments are described above, it is notintended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of thepresent disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification arewords of description rather than limitation, and it is understood thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure.

With regard to any processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc.,described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps ofsuch processes, etc., have been described as occurring according to acertain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with thedescribed steps performed in an order other than the order describedherein. It should be further understood that certain steps could beperformed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or thatcertain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, thedescriptions of processes described above are provided for the purposeof illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construedso as to limit the claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “forexample”/(“e.g.”), “for instance”, “such as”, and “like”, and the verbs“comprising”, “having”, “including”, and their other verb forms, whenused in conjunction with a listing of one or more carriers or otheritems, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listingis not to be considered as excluding other, additional carriers oritems. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonablemeaning unless they are used in a context that requires a differentinterpretation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lifting aid for a long-handled implement, thelifting aid comprising: a mounting assembly configured to be attached toan elongated portion of a long-handled implement; and a fulcrum assemblypivotally attached to the mounting assembly, the fulcrum assemblyincluding: a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, a lower endportion disposed opposite the upper end portion and an intermediateportion disposed between the upper and lower end portions, the fulcrumbar further having a longitudinal centerline thereof extending throughat least the upper end portion, the intermediate portion and the lowerend portion, the fulcrum bar being pivotally attached to the mountingassembly proximate the upper end portion of the fulcrum bar, and atleast one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar, proximate thelower end portion of the fulcrum bar, such that (i) at least a bottomportion of the at least one skid shield is disposed adjacent to alowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and (ii) atleast a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shieldis capable of moving, at least in a substantially linear manner,upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar.
 2. The lifting aid according to claim 1,wherein when the lifting aid is attached to the long-handled implement,by way of the mounting assembly being attached to the elongated portionof the long-handled implement, the at least one skid shield of thefulcrum assembly is capable of contacting a ground surface disposedbeneath the long-handled implement, and wherein when the at least oneskid shield contacts the ground surface and a downward force exceeding acertain amount is applied by a user to at least an upper part of theelongated portion of the long-handled implement, (i) at least thelowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar of thefulcrum assembly moves downwardly, with respect to at least the lowerpart of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shield, such that atleast the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum barcontacts the ground surface and (ii) at least a lower part of theelongated portion of the long-handled implement pivots generallyupwardly, with respect to at least the fulcrum assembly, thereby liftingat least a lower part of the long-handled implement generally upwardlyaway from the ground surface.
 3. The lifting aid according to claim 1,wherein the at least one skid shield of the fulcrum assembly comprisesfirst and second skid shields, wherein the lower part of the bottomportion of each of the first and second skid shields comprises acompressible material, and wherein each of the first and second skidshields are operably coupled to the fulcrum bar of the fulcrum assembly,proximate the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar, such that (i) atleast the bottom portion of each of the first and second skid shields isdisposed adjacent to the lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar, (ii) at least the compressible material of the bottomportion of each of the first and second skid shields is capable of beingcompressed upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion ofthe fulcrum bar and (iii) at least the compressible material of thebottom portion of each of the first and second skid shields is furthercapable of being decompressed downwardly below the lowermost part of thelower end portion of the fulcrum bar.
 4. The lifting aid according toclaim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be removablyattached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement at oneof a plurality of different locations disposed along the elongatedportion of the long-handled implement.
 5. The lifting aid according toclaim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be permanentlyattached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement.
 6. Thelifting aid according to claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly includesa stop capable of being contacted by the fulcrum assembly, and whereinthe stop is configured to prevent the fulcrum assembly from pivoting,with respect to at least the mounting assembly, in a first rotationaldirection when the fulcrum assembly contacts the stop.
 7. The liftingaid according to claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly includes a firstmounting bracket having a first engagement portion configured to engagethe elongated portion of the long-handled implement, a second mountingbracket having a second engagement portion configured to engage theelongated portion of the long-handled implement, the first and secondmounting brackets each being further configured to be operably connectedto each other such that the first and second engagement portions of therespective first and second mounting brackets are capable of beingclamped against the elongated portion of the long-handled implement soas to attach the mounting assembly to the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement.
 8. A long-handled implement, comprising: anelongated portion; and a lifting aid according to claim 1; wherein themounting assembly of the lifting aid is attached to the elongatedportion of the long-handled implement.
 9. The long-handled implementaccording to claim 8, wherein the long-handled implement is along-handled shovel.
 10. A lifting aid for a long-handled implement, thelifting aid comprising: a mounting assembly configured to be attached toan elongated portion of a long-handled implement; and a fulcrum assemblypivotally attached to the mounting assembly, the fulcrum assemblyincluding: a fulcrum bar having an upper end portion, a lower endportion disposed opposite the upper end portion and an intermediateportion disposed between the upper and lower end portions, the fulcrumbar further having a longitudinal centerline thereof extending throughat least the upper end portion, the intermediate portion and the lowerend portion, the fulcrum bar being pivotally attached to the mountingassembly proximate the upper end portion of the fulcrum bar, and a skidshield having an opening formed therein which extends completely throughat least a bottom portion of the skid shield, the skid shield beingoperably coupled to the fulcrum bar, proximate the lower end portion ofthe fulcrum bar, such that (i) the longitudinal centerline of thefulcrum bar extends through at least the opening formed in the skidshield, (ii) at least a lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar is capable of being disposed within the opening formed inthe skid shield and (iii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion ofthe skid shield is capable of moving, at least along the longitudinalcenterline of the fulcrum bar, upwardly and downwardly with respect toat least the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.
 11. The lifting aidaccording to claim 10, wherein when the lifting aid is attached to thelong-handled implement, by way of the mounting assembly being attachedto the elongated portion of the long-handled implement, the skid shieldof the fulcrum assembly is capable of contacting a ground surfacedisposed beneath the long-handled implement, and wherein when the skidshield contacts the ground surface and a downward force exceeding acertain amount is applied by a user to at least an upper part of theelongated portion of the long-handled implement, (i) at least thelowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar of thefulcrum assembly moves downwardly, with respect to at least the lowerpart of the bottom portion of the skid shield, such that at least thelowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar is disposedoutside of the opening formed in the skid shield and contacts the groundsurface and (ii) at least a lower part of the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement pivots generally upwardly, with respect to atleast the fulcrum assembly, thereby lifting at least a lower part of thelong-handled implement generally upwardly away from the ground surface.12. The lifting aid according to claim 10, wherein the fulcrum assemblyfurther includes a biasing member disposed thereon, and wherein thebiasing member is configured to bias at least the lower part of thebottom portion of the skid shield downwardly with respect to at leastthe lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar of thefulcrum assembly.
 13. The lifting aid according to claim 12, wherein thebiasing member comprises a compression spring or a mass of compressiblematerial.
 14. The lifting aid according to claim 10, wherein at leastthe lower part of the bottom portion of the skid shield comprises acompressible material, and wherein the skid shield is further operablycoupled to the fulcrum bar of the fulcrum assembly, proximate the lowerend portion of the fulcrum bar, such that (i) at least the compressiblematerial of the bottom portion of the skid shield is capable of beingcompressed, at least along the longitudinal centerline of the fulcrumbar, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar such that at least the lowermost part of the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar is disposed outside of the opening formed inthe skid shield and (ii) at least the compressible material of thebottom portion of the skid shield is further capable of beingdecompressed, at least along the longitudinal centerline of the fulcrumbar, downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower end portion of thefulcrum bar such that at least the lowermost part of the lower endportion of the fulcrum bar is disposed within the opening formed in theskid shield.
 15. The lifting aid according to claim 10, wherein themounting assembly is configured to be removably attached to theelongated portion of the long-handled implement at one of a plurality ofdifferent locations disposed along the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement.
 16. The lifting aid according to claim 10,wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be permanently attachedto the elongated portion of the long-handled implement.
 17. The liftingaid according to claim 10, wherein the mounting assembly includes a stopcapable of being contacted by the fulcrum assembly, and wherein the stopis configured to prevent the fulcrum assembly from pivoting, withrespect to at least the mounting assembly, in a first rotationaldirection when the fulcrum assembly contacts the stop.
 18. The liftingaid according to claim 10, wherein the mounting assembly includes afirst mounting bracket having a first engagement portion configured toengage the elongated portion of the long-handled implement, a secondmounting bracket having a second engagement portion configured to engagethe elongated portion of the long-handled implement, the first andsecond mounting brackets each being further configured to be operablyconnected to each other such that the first and second engagementportions of the respective first and second mounting brackets arecapable of being clamped against the elongated portion of thelong-handled implement so as to attach the mounting assembly to theelongated portion of the long-handled implement.
 19. A long-handledimplement, comprising: an elongated portion; and a lifting aid accordingto claim 10; wherein the mounting assembly of the lifting aid isattached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement.
 20. Thelong-handled implement according to claim 19, wherein the long-handledimplement is a long-handled shovel.